By Banji Ayoola
The Social Democratic Party, SDP, on Wednesday expelled one of its former presidential aspirants, Prof Jerry Gana, and its former South West Chairman, Chief Supo Shonibare, for alleged anti party activities.
This decision was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Hon. Yemi Akinbode, and made available to The Radiance.
It said that that based on its Constitution, and as invoked by its National Working Committee, NWC, in view of its powers, Gana, Shonibare, and others including Alfa Mohammed, Mr. Adekole Ijogi, “have been expelled by the NWC and have ceased to be members of the SDP.”
Following is the full text of the statement, entitled: “SDP Warns Gana, Shonibare, Says Party Will Press Criminal Charges:”
“It has come to the notice of the National Working Committee(NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) that a group of dissidents led by the sacked National Vice Chairman(Southwest) of the SDP, Chief Supo Shonibare and former Presidential aspirant Professor Jerry Gana held an illegal media briefing today in Abuja under the auspices of our Party, the SDP.
It is imperative to reiteriate once again the position of the NWC of the SDP on the activities of these group of individuals who are no longer members of our party by reasons of their expulsion from the Party, based on the provisions of Article 19:4 of the Constitution of the Party 2018 as amended.
Based on the following, the party wishes to inform the General public, particularly, the media as follows:
That based on the Constitution of the SDP and as invoked by the NWC in view of its powers, Professor Jerry Gana, Chief Supo Shonibare, Alfa Mohammed, Mr. Adekole Ijogi and others have been expelled by the NWC and have ceased to be members of the SDP
That any activity by the group including press briefings, statements, commentaries and assemblies in the name of SDP is unlawful, unconstitutional and null and void.
Parading themselves as members of the NEC of the SDP and all other infractions on the laws and constitution of the Party is criminal and may result in prosecution by the law court.
That all the law enforcement agencies have been duly informed of the infractions and criminal acts of these ousted individuals
That it is because of the inordinate ambition of Professor Gana and his co-travelers that he attempted to pocket the SDP. How can one rationalise the decision of Professor Gana to call his house boy, Adakole Ijogi, Gana’s errand boy of many years his National Secretary. Adekole himself, who was virtually unknown in his ward.
This says much about his desperation. The activities of the group is an infringement on the constitution of the SDP. And the public must be guided so that it is not misinformed and misled.
The General public is hereby informed that any individuals , or group of individuals or public institutions dealing with this group on behalf of our party, the SDP does that at their own risk, as their dealings, actions and assemblies are illegal and unconstitutional.
That all requests, enquiries and communication with the General public, especially the media should be directed to the National headquarters of the SDP situated on Plot 9, Yedsram Street, Maitama Abuja.
We would like to use this opportunity to inform our members and party faithful across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to remain calm, law-abiding and go about their normal political activities.”
